In the lead up to the attack, Herbet was heavily smoking cannabis at their home in Perth, Australia.

He then allegedly told his wife “the werewolf is coming at 12:00pm”.

The court heard how nearing midnight he said “that’s it b****, I am going to kill you”, before fetching jerry can of petrol and entered his daughters’ room.

He then poured petrol over the younger child and set her alight, before he began to douse the older child in petrol. According to reports neighbour Daniel McMillan arrived shortly after and found Mr Herbert pacing in the kitchen and necking beer.

Mr Herbert is then alleged to have told Mr McMillan because the kids were his children he could do whatever he wanted – adding that his toddler was too beautiful and that is why he burnt her.

He is accused of two counts of doing an act, with intent to unlawfully kill, that was likely to endanger the lives of his children. Other charges include threatening to kill his partner, being armed with a knife in circumstances likely to cause fear and doing an act likely to endanger life with intent to harm.

Herbert admits burning his child but claims he was insane at the time and so not guilty.